Many Swedish companies are too streamlined for CSR

Of: Frida Hjärtman

Utvecklingsmagasinet talks with Marianne Bogle from CSR Sweden about how Swedish companies work with responsibility and sustainability issues, so-called CSR issues. As operations manager for an actor who works for goal 17 on partnership, she describes how Swedish companies are good at, among other things, environmental and climate issues. But there are still obstacles for companies to fully promote the work towards sustainability goals and too strong a focus on efficiency and growth in Swedish companies hinders the prioritization of CSR.

June 24, 2021, Interview

Week 22: The climate issue, Israeli and Chinese policies in this week's debate

Of: The Chancellery

This week, the climate issue has been debated from a child rights perspective, among other things, and it has also been contrasted with the health issue. It has also continued to discuss Israel's policy and the Jewish Youth League has drawn attention to anti-Semitism in Sweden. China's policies have also been highlighted, partly due to China's treatment of Uighurs in Xinjiang province.

June 8, 2021, Current debate

Capital means power and power means responsibility

If you own the profits from a polluting business, you also have a responsibility to deal with those negative consequences. Photo: Ryan Lackey, Flickr.

Of: Marcus Karlén

Capital pollutes the environment, not people. The environmental and climate debate therefore requires a new division of responsibilities based on the world's extreme climate inequality, says Marcus Karlén, who is involved in FUF's local group Stockholm Södra.

May 11, 2021, Chronicle

Large distance between students and the labor market in Tanzania

Lack of IT skills is one reason why young people are prevented from entering the labor market. Photo: Musa Musa

Of: Jasmine Ashne

The number of university students is breaking records in Tanzania, but the educations do not live up to the demands of the labor market. Young women in particular are affected when employers demand practical knowledge that is not part of their education. The development magazine has talked to Andrew Mwakalebela who works to try to bridge the distance between students and the labor market.

March 25, 2021, Interview

More difficult but not impossible - covid-19 and the global goals

Of: Alan Atkisson

Covid-19 has turned difficult progress into setbacks. The latest figures from the World Bank give a gloomy picture in areas such as global poverty, hunger, health and education. But in the midst of a pandemic, we are also experiencing a dramatic acceleration of digitalisation, greater opportunities for equal inclusion and the development of new investment instruments to lift people out of poverty. We must look at the big picture, think long-term and continue to look for more effective levers for change, says Alan AtKisson, department manager at Sida.

February 15, 2021, Debate

Binding rules for businesses could have helped the people of Uganda

Why does the government not want to ensure that entrepreneurship goes right to and respects human rights? wonders Mona Monasar. Photo: Tomas Melin

Of: Mona Monasar

Swedish climate compensation led to violence and food shortages among the local population in Uganda. It is a scandal that it can happen without anyone being held accountable. Now the Swedish government must demand that companies respect human rights - even abroad, writes Mona Monasar at the organization FIAN.

June 15, 2020, Debate

Mixed view on mixed financing

Aid used to increase private investment is usually called mixed financing. Mats Hårsmar writes about the reactions to a new report on the subject.

Of: Mats Hårsmar

How to get the most possible development effect from international aid - which, despite its size, is a limited resource? So-called mixed financing is a form of development cooperation that donor countries look at differently, writes Mats Hårsmar. He has project-led a new report on the topic from the Expert Group for Development Aid Analysis.

March 10, 2020, Guest chronicle

Do not allow aid to drive the privatization of care and education

Eva Ekelund and Gunilla Axelsson Nycander

Eva Ekelund and Gunnel Axelsson Nycander work at Act Svenska Kyrkan, which has just published a report on development assistance mixed with commercial capital.

Of: Eva Ekelund and Gunnel Axelsson Nycander

Combining development assistance with commercial capital - so-called mixed financing - is an important method of increasing private investment in sustainable development. But there are times when mixed financing is inappropriate. For example, it should not be allowed to influence decisions on privatizations in healthcare and education. This is one of the conclusions in a new report by the Church of Sweden Act.

March 5, 2020, Debate

Gender equality can make the business community contribute to sustainable development

The global goals and sustainable development were popular topics in Almedalen. Many companies had seminars and exhibitions on the theme. Photo: Lovisa Novak / FUF

Of: Lovisa Novak

Focusing on gender equality is an effective way to contribute to global development, but also to create sustainable and successful companies. During this year's Almedalen Week, many seminars were devoted to the role and responsibility of the private sector for sustainable development.

July 11, 2019, Reportage